Automatic control apparatus



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United States Patent 3,351,743 AUTOMATIC CONTROL APPARATUS Charles E. Jordan, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Jordan Controls, Iuc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wiscousin Filed Aug. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 305,679 7 Claims. (Cl. 235-6111) This invenion relates to an automatic control apparatus and particularly to a multiple control having a plurality of outputs established by a coded member or element selectively interrupting an energy flux between an energy flux source means and a plurality of flux collectors.

Automatic control devices are finding Wide application for the controlling of multiple component processes and operations; for example, such as shown in applicants copending application entitled Automatic Control and Actuator Therefor, filed on I an. 2.4, 1961, with Ser. No. 84,619, now Patent No. 3,185,949. The embodiment shown in the latter application discloses a card element having a plurality of side-by-side or laterally spaced finger elements for controlling a plurality of signal generators through physical movement of control elements by the card element in accordance with the length of the fingers and more particularly the location of the outer edge of the fingers. Although the apparatus discloses a thoroughly satisfactory and practical system, the card element must be a substantial-1y self-supporting or an auxiliary supporting structure provided to allow the direct mechanical work by the ele ment.

The present invention is particularly directed to reading of a card or a code element having a plurality of fingers and simultaneously establishing a plurality of control signals by selected interruption of energy flux established between a source means and a plurality of flux collectors, one being controlled by each of the fingers. Each portion of the card including a finger comprises a pair of flux transmissive related portions one of which is flux transmit-ting and the other of which is flux opaque or interrupting, with the ratio of the lengths of the two portions being proportional to the signal to be generated. A light source is preferably employed for energizing a plurality of laterally spaced light responsive strips or areas of substantially greater length than width. A code card or element includes a plurality of forwardly projecting side-byside fingers generally opaque to the light flux and laterally aligned with the light responsive strips or areas. The removed portions of the code card constitute the light energy transmitting portion and the resulting fingers the light interrupting portions such that a preselected partial energization of the corresponding light responsive strips results. The outputs of the several light responsive strips or areas are individually controlled in any desired pattern and may be connected in a suitable multiple functioning control circuit.

The present invention is thus directed to a relatively simple and'compact coded control card reader for a code card or similar element which may be relatively lightweight and which is read.

The drawing furnished herewith illustrates the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention and the above and other advantages and objects of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a photoelectric reading system;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of a code card shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1 with parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing the use of a pneumatic reading system; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view of FIG. 4 showing an orifice construction.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a generally rectangular code card 1 is illustrated including a forward notched or cut out portion defining a plurality of forwardly projecting fingers 2 arranged in immediate side-by-side and laterally distributed relation. The fingers 2 are cut to a predetermined depth with respect to a common reference line 3 of the card 1 to provide predetermined control signals. The code card is inserted within a card reader 4 constructed in accordance with the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 with the fingers 2 disposed within an outer enclosure or housing 5.

Generally, housing 5 is a rectangular member having a depth somewhat greater than the length of card 1. The front wall 6 of the housing is provided with a slot 7 substantially corresponding to the width of the card 1 for receiving the same. An intermediate horizontal supporting wall 8 spans the rectangular housing 5 in alignment with the lower edge of the slot 7 and includes an outer projection 9 which extends outwardly of the slot 7 to support the outer portion of the card 1.

The intermediate wall 8 includes a plurality of photoelectric strip units 10 generally extending for a length corresponding to the maximum length of the fingers 2; Le. the distance between the common reference 3 and the outermost edge of the code card 1.

The photoelectric strip units 10- may be formed of any suitable material or may comprise a bank of photoelectric cells. Thus, the strip units 10 may be formed of individual cells, connected in series or parallel, which exhibit a variable resistance or voltage drop proportional to the light exposure such that a current source impressed thereon establishes an output to a load or pickup device proportional to the exposure of the number of cells. Strip units 10 may also be formed of a material employed in solar cells and the like which directly generate a current in accordance with the light energy impinging on the material. When employed hereinafter, photoelectric encompasses all such means for producing a sensible output in proportion to light energization thereof.

A pair of leads 11 is shown connected one each to the opposite ends of the several photoelectric strip units 10 and extend outwardly through suitable openings in the back wall of housing 5 with the outer ends or terminals connected to suitable control circuits 12, shown in block diagram. The specific control circuit 12 employed will depend on the type of photoelectric pickup employed. Thus, if the conventional photoelectric system providing a resistance or voltage signal in proportion to the illumination of the coresponding strip is employed, the leads 11 may be connected directly in a balancing bridge circuit or the like. If a solar cell type unit is employed, then a current responsive control circuit will be employed. The particular control circuit 12 employed will therefore depend on the particular control desired and no further description thereof is deemed necessary.

A light source 13 shown as an elongated lamp member is mounted within the housing 5 generally centrally of the length of the photoelectric strip units 10 and extends laterally for the width of the housing to provide simultaneous illumination of the card area encompassing the strip units 10. A reflector 14 is housed within the upper portion of the housing and is bolted by a suitable bracket 15 to the upper wall thereof. The reflector 14 is generally of a truncated cross section with the side walls extending :rearwardly and forwardly within the housing 5 from the top wall of the housing to the opposite ends of the photoelectric strips 1-1. The reflector 14 substantiallydistributes the light from the light source 13 to provide constant and similar illumination of all of the strip units 10.

The card 1 is supported on the wall 8 with the fingers 2 properly located therein in alignment with the respective strips 10 by a pair of mating locating pins 16 on wall 8 and correspondingly spaced locating openings 17 in the code card 1. In the absence of a code card 1, all of the strips 10 are similarly illuminated and produce a predetermined electrical characteristic. However, when the code card 1 is placed in the housing 5, the length of the fingers 2 determines the portion of the photoelectric material or strip 10 which is exposed to the light energy of the light source 13 and consequently the electrical output characteristic of corresponding strips. Generally, the output characteristic is proportional to the length of the particular finger 2 with respect to the maximum possible length.

The card element may be formed of a relatively thin nonself-supporting material to allow use of a conventional scissors or the like. As the card does not function as a mechanical driving element, it can be disposed in the reader without the necessity of structural strengthening means adjacent the edges of the fingers.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the present invention is shown employing a pneumatic flux field and providing a plurality of pneumatic outputs in accordance with the length of the fingers. Referring particularly to FIG. 4, a housing 13 generally corresponding to housing is illustrated having a similar code card 19 mounted therein with side-by-side fingers 20 extending longitudinally between the front and rear walls. A dividing wall 21 supports the code card 19 and is provided with a plurality of orifices 22 aligned one each with each of the fingers 20 of the code card 19. A plurality of vertical partitions 23, one to either side of each orifice 22, establishes a plurality of individual vacuum chambers 24 aligned with the respective orifices 22. A vacuum pump 25 is connected to individual outlets 25 which are secured to the back wall of the housing 18 in individual communication with the vacuum chambers 24. An air inlet 27 is provided above the dividing wall 21 and is connected to atmosphere or some other common reference.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, the card 17 is formed of a suitable nonporous material such as plastic to prevent the passage of air through the card but of sufficient strength to prevent deforming and movement through the orifice. With the card positioned within the housing 18, the length of each finger 20 determines the proportion of the orifice 22 in the dividing wall 21 which is exposed. With the vacuum pump 25 operating, a vacuum is pulled across the several orifices 22 and a known pressure drop occurs across each orifice in the absence of the code card 1. When a portion of an orifice is blocked off by a projecting finger 20, the pressure drop across the corresponding orifice 20 changes accordingly and creates a different vacuum pressure at the corresponding outlet 26. Suitable pressure transducers 28 are connected one to each of the outlets 26 to provide a signal in accordance with the changes of pressure drop.

The configuration of the orifice 22 can be varied, for example, in a longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 5 where the width expands from the back to the front of housing 5, to provide any desired characteristic or shape of the output signal versus the length of the finger. Generally, a linear output will be desired and can be pro vided by proper proportioning the width of the finger in the longitudinal direction.

Although particularly described with respect to a light flux and a pneumatic flux, other flux forms such as magnetic flux may be employed within the broadest concept of this invention. The present invention thus provides a small, compact and lightweight unit for reading of a multiple signal generating code card element or the like by selective forming of the card with flux transmissive and flux intercepting portions for each signal.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A coded control for establishing a plurality of selected output signals, comprising (a) an energy flux source for emitting a directed flux beam having a predetermined length,

(b) a collector means mounted in spaced relation to the source and in the path of the flux beam and responsive to proportionate engagement with the length of the beam,

(c) a code element having a plurality of side-by-side operating portions defining a plurality of projecting lengths each of which includes a flux transmitting portion permitting the flux to pass and a flux opaque portion preventing passage thereof in accordance with the selected output signals, and

(d) means for releasably mounting said code element between the source and collector whereby the flux collected is proportional to the ratio of the length of said flux transmitting and flux opaque portions.

2. A coded control for establishing a plurality of selected output signals, comprising (a) flux source means to establish a flux field of a section minimum length,

(b) a plurality of individual elongated flux collectors mounted in laterally spaced relation and in alignment with the flux field to receive said flux,

(c) a code element having a plurality of side-by-side control portions corresponding to said flux collectors and being correspondingly spaced, each of said control portions including a flux transmitting portion and a flux opaque portion in accordance with the selected output signals, and

(d) means for mounting said code element between the collectors and the flux source means with the control portions aligned with corresponding collectors with the collected flux being proportional to the ratio of the length of said flux transmitting and flux opaque portions of each control portion.

3. A coded control for establishing a plurality of selected electrical signals, comprising (a) a light source,

(b) a light collector having a plurality of laterally spaced light responsive units, each of said units having a substantially greater length than width and establishing a selected electrical characteristic when completely exposed to the light source,

(c) a code means having a plurality of control strips spaced in accordance with the light responsive units, each of said control strips comprising two portions one of which is light transmitting and the other of which is light opaque, and

((1) means to mount the code element with the control strips superimposed on the light responsive strips to establish the energizing and output of the strips in accordance with the relative lengths of the two portions of the aligned strips.

4. A coded control in accordance with claim 3 wherein the code element is an opaque card having an outer notched portion defining a plurality of adjacent fingers constituting the light opaque portion and the removed portion the light transmitting portion of the code means.

5. A coded control for establishing a plurality of selected electrical signals, comprising (a) a housing having a slot in one wall thereof,

(b) a light source mounted within the housing to one side of a plane through the slot,

(c) a light collector having a plurality of laterally spaced elongated light responive units mounted within the housing to the opposite side of the plane, each of said units extending perpendicularly to the slot 5 and establishing a selected electrical characteristic when completely exposed to the light source,

(d) a code element having a plurality of control strips spaced in accordance with the light responsive strips and having a width no greater than said slot, each of said control strips comprising two portions one of which is light transmitting and the other of which is opaque to light, and

(e) means to mount the code element with the control strips superimposed on the light responsive units to individually establish the energizing and output of the units in accordance with the relative lengths of the two portions of the corresponding control strips.

6. A coded control for establishing a plurality of selected pneumatic signals comprising (a) a housing having a plurality of elongated laterally spaced orifices,

(b) means to establish a fluid flux passing through said orifices with a selected pressure drop across the orifices, and

(c) a code element having laterally spaced fingers of a nonporous material aligned with the respective orifices, each of said fingers being selected to cover a portion of a corresponding orifice in accordance with said code to thereby establish a corresponding variation in said pressure drop in proportion to said por- 6 tion, whereby said plurality of selected pneumatic signals are generated.

7. A coded control for establishing a plurality of selected pneumatic signals comprising (a) a housing having an intermediate wall defining the top of a plurality of vacuum chambers with a plurality of elongated laterally spaced orifices in the intermediate wall,

(b) means to draw a vacuum in said vacuum chambers and establish a pressure drop across the orifices, and

(c) a code element having laterally spaced fingers of a nonporous material aligned with the respective orifices, each of said fingers being selected to cover a portion of a corresponding orifice in accordance with said code to thereby establish a corresponding variation in said pressure drop in proportion to said portion, whereby said plurality of selected pneumatic signals are generated.

3,016,456 1/1962 Corporon 2462 DARYL W. COOK, Acting Primary Examiner.

25 J. H. WALLACE, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,351,743 November 7, 1967 Charles E. Jordan It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 27, for "section" read selected Signed and sealed this 25th day of March 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. Attesting Officer 

1. A CODED CONTROL FOR ESTABLISHING A PLURALITY OF SELECTED OUTPUT SIGNALS, COMPRISING (A) AN ENERGY FLUX SOURCE FOR EMITTING A DIRECTED FLUX BEAM HAVING A PREDETERMINED LENGTH, (B) A COLECTOR MEANS MOUNTED IN SPACED RELATION TO THE SOURCE AND IN THE PATH OF THE FLUX BEAM AND RESPONSIVE TO PROPORTIONATE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LENGTH OF THE BEAM, (C) A CODE ELEMENT HAVING A PLURALITY OF SIDE-BY-SIDE OPERATING PORTIONS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF PORJECTING LENGTHS EACH OF WHICH INCLUDES A FLUX TRANSMITTING PORTION PERMITTING THE FLUX TO PASS AND A FLUX OPAQUE PORTION PREVENTING PASSAGE THEREOF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SELECTED OUTPUT SIGNALS, AND 